In law school, one of the first things you learn is that it is just as important to know opposing counsel’s arguments and case law as it is your own. You need to anticipate their every possible defense and know every piece of law that could support the other side’s argument. Because it’s one thing to prepare your own winning argument, but once you’re in the courtroom, if you’re unable to anticipate and defend against the other side’s counterarguments, your argument will become less and less convincing. Apostle Paul knew this too. That’s why this week’s passage starts with four questions that could give rise to possible objections to the gospel of righteousness:

• What shall we say then? 

• Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

• How can we who died to sin live in it? 

• Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 

This week’s passage then goes on to answer and counter these possible objections. 

Read Romans 6:1-14 and journal through the following questions this week: 

• What point(s) are these four questions objecting to?

• What does it mean to be dead to sin? See Galatians 5:16-18, Colossians 3:1-25 and 1 Peter 4:1-2

• What does it mean to live in sin? See James 4:17 and 1 John 3:4-9

• Is there any area of your life where you are in danger of “living in sin”? 

• What happens when you become a Christian? (v. 3-4)

• What happens to the old “you” once you become a Christian? (v. 6)

• What promises are made to those who are made new in Christ? 

• If we have been set free from sin, then why do we still sin after becoming Christians? 

• What does it mean to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus”? (v. 11) See also Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 Peter 3:18

• How can one be an instrument for unrighteousness or an instrument for righteousness? (v. 13) See also 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Timothy 6:11, 1 John 3:4-9 and Philippians 3:9

• Where is your fight with sin particularly hard right now?

• What truths can you glean from this week’s passage to remind yourself of next time you’re battling to overcome a sin? 

Reflect & Respond

• What does this passage teach me about God?

• How does this change the way I live? 

Scripture to Memorize

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” -Romans 6:14

If you’re new here or missed a week, you can find prior weeks here:

• Week One

• Week Two

• Week Three

• Week Four

• Week Five

• Week Six

• Week Seven

• Week Eight

• Week Nine

• Week Ten

• Week Eleven

• Week Twelve

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yelena is the founder and editor in chief Tirzah. Yelena works as an attorney in tax and in her spare time, she is working on her first book for unmarried twenty-something women in extended waiting seasons and running Tirzah. She has a passion for pointing young women to Christ, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.